Current and former Navy SEALS are not happy with Obama taking credit for putting an end to Osama bin Laden.
Many believe being an election year that Obama is using the Navy Seals as a boost for his own reelection bid. In other words, politics as usual.
You see, the White House is running a campaign ad marking the first anniversary of the killing of bin Laden and the ad states “Which path would Mitt Romney have taken?” Perhaps suggesting that Romney would not had done anything? Let’s see here… which candidate is about building the military, not reducing it? Which president would receive top secret classified intel reports predicting a high percentage of capturing (or killing) the number one terroist in the world, and ‘not’ do anything?
A former Navy operator, Ryan Zinke, spent 23 years in the teams as well as Seal team six said, “the decision was a no brainer. I applaud him for making it (the decision) but I would not overly pat myself on the back for making the right call.”
Zinke goes on to say, “I think every president would have done the same. He is justified in saying it was his decision but the preparation, the sacrafice… it was a broader team effort. The President and his administration are positioning him as a war president using the Navy SEALS as ammunition. It was predictable.”
In fact, even left leaning liberals are even condemning Obama’s actions. Arianna Huffington, who runs the Huffington Post said “We should all celebrate the fact that they did such a great job. It’s one thing to have an NBC special from the Situation Room… all that to me is legitimate, but to turn it into a campaign ad is one of the most despicable things you can do.”
But then again, it is an election year. Right?
Truth be told, any president in office would had loved the opportunity that Obama had. The ‘risk reward’ ratio was enormous! The upside is beyond incredible and who would ever be angry about ‘not’ taking a legit swipe at bin Laden if it did not go as planned? Not to mention, having a stacked deck in your favor with the deadly master ops Navy Seals performing the operation. Don’t forget that this all-important operation was carefully rehearsed and perfectly staged long in advance. There was no margin for significant error!
Honestly, if Romney were in office, many believe that the call would had been made earlier. Then again, the President simply ‘rubber stamps’ the order and a good President then ‘steps aside’ and lets the experts go to work. According to special forces insiders, much of the credit goes to Admiral William McRaven, a former Navy Seal who was then head of Joint Special Operations Command who made the the decision to take bin Laden out. Tactical choices were then passed along down the chain. All to say, not one person… even the President of the United States… should ever take credit for such a massive and successful operation.
Truthfully, it’s a waste of time for any one single person to take the credit. Can you imagine a Navy SEAL operator standing up and claiming that he solely deserved all the credit? Of course not, nor should any leader even the President! We must all stand and be thankful for the collection of intelligence from a vast many and then the special forces community along with daring pilots who all collectively pulled off the ultimate operation.
Arm chair quarterbacks need not apply. Especially politicians!
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Polls show less than 30% of people trust congress. This is exactly why! They want all the credit when all goes well and almost always ‘point the finger’ when mistakes happen. Truth is that we’re all human and we all made mistakes in the past… and will in the future. I don’t completely blame politicians since we (the ‘public’) has placed so many expectations on them. The media pounces on anyone providing that there is a story to gain readers. And who are the readers…. ‘us’.
Everybody know Obama piloted the helo’s, spotted where Bin Ladens compound was, led the assualt team and fired the round that killed Bin Laden.
Hey Wak1, you’re right on target!!
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